Method and apparatus for control and elimination of undesirable substances

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for reducing or eliminating undesirable air-borne substances, such as odors, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins, are provided. A filter containing nanocrystalline metal oxide or metal hydroxide particles may be installed within an air handling apparatus such as an existing HVAC unit located within a building, and particularly within a home, or a portable air processor or purifier. The air handling apparatus comprises a blower which pulls air containing various undesirable substances from within the enclosed environment and directs it through a filtering device containing the nanocrystalline particles. The undesirable substances are sorbed by the nanocrystalline particles thereby creating a deodorized stream of air that may then be directed back into various portions of the enclosed environment or vented to the atmosphere.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 091,980, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ODOR CONTROL AND ELIMINATION, filed Aug. 26, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 548,060, filed Aug. 26, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally pertains to methods of treating undesirable substances such as malodors, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins, particularly those undesirable substances present within enclosed environments, including homes, vehicles and other types of permanent and mobile structures, using nanocrystalline metal oxide and metal hydroxide particles that are contained within a filter apparatus. The filter apparatus may be adapted for use with existing heating, ventilation, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Effectively eliminates odors and airborne pathogens, providing purified air and reducing the risk of illness and transmission, while maintaining effectiveness over extended periods and minimizing pressure drop, even in vertically installed configurations.

Problems solved by technology

Various types of odor problems occur in homes.

Some of the leading causes of nuisance odors are the result of the biological contamination.

When these microbial organisms decay and rot, they give off gases and noxious fumes.

Unfortunately these are not just aesthetic problems.

Furthermore, the EPA conducted a 17-year study and found that women working in their homes had a 55% greater risk of dying from cancer than those who worked in an office, primarily due to the use of ordinary household cleaners.

Some of the products found in American homes have chemical ingredients that are potentially harmful.

In many cases, the malodor is so overpowering that a masking agent is ineffective.

Numerous compositions and methods have been developed for reducing odors from a variety of sources; however, they have had only limited success because the odors associated with a wide range of sources are complex and can comprise a mixture of different substances including, but not limited to inorganic bases such as ammonia, organic acids such as butyric acid and isovaleric acid, and neutral molecules such as acetaldehyde and methyl mercaptan.

However, these methods present the following problems: (i) the odor is not eliminated, but only masked, (ii) the adsorption capability of these traditional sorbents is limited, (iii) by using the oxidizing agent, a secondary pollutant can be produced, and (iv) the sorbents can be effective only under certain conditions such as a wet environment.

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